The Irish standard., 1887-01-08


Hon. Edward Blake, another Irish
Canadian, and defeated. In the Irish
Relief measure, he was vigorously sup
ported by Mr.. Blake. The ministerial
representative from New Brunswick is
equally as popular with Protestants as
with those of bis own faith, and is de-
cidedly a credit to the Irish Catholic
element of Canada. which recognized
his worth by placing him IN the honor
able position he occupies.
HoN. FRANK SMITH.
Another Catholic member Of
the Government, but without port
folio, is the Hon Frank Smith, a genial
and pleasaut-looking statesman in his
fifty-fourth year. He first saw light in
Richtield, County Armagh, in 1882, and
came to Canada at an early age with his
father, the family settling near Toron-
to. From 1S49 to 1857, Frank Smith
carried OH business in London, Ontario,
in the latter year removing to the now
great commercial city Of Toronto,
where he established wholesale gro
Gerry business, carried Oh by him sue
cessfully to the present day. While iii
| London the I ass, Mr. Smith was many
| years returned as alderman, and was
elected mayor Of that city in 1866. He
took a warm interest in politics, and
was called to the Senate in 1871 by a
Conservative Government in the inter-
| ests OF which pa.ty he has always iden-
titled himself. As q mark Of apprecia~
tion of his abilities as a statesman, and
out Of regard for the Irish Catholics of
Ontario, Sir John Macdonald chose the
Hon Mr. Smith as a member Of his
Government, after the last general
elections, at the same time u.;tking
John O'Donoghue, another Toronto
Irish Catholic, q Senator. The subject
of this brief sketch, as o capitalist en-
ploying much labor, enjoys much popu-
laritY. Besides being connected With
some large institutions, he is also
president Of the Northern Extension
Railway and of the Toronto Savings
Bank, in addition to acting as director
o1 the Dominion Bank. His duties ds
q mere member Of the Cabinet without
portfolio are but nominal, and although
exercising a full voice ID the. delibera-
tions of the lrivy Council, he rarely
visits the Capital, except during the
session Of Parliament.
HON. JOHN 0'CONNoR.
a Boston boy midget OF scarce four
years. John O'Conuor, with his little
hand tightly clasped in the rough grasp
Of his father-rough with honest toll
came to Canada from the "Hub" i'll
1928, and the family settled in wilder
ness of forest at what is now known as
Maidstone, Essex County, Ontario.
Here, when large enough, lie helped his
parent to make d clearing, and il WAS
while cutting down a tree in the depth
of winter near his home that one Of his
legs was pinned Gown by q falling pine,
and was afterwards anputated, Yet
so skilful!y has 1t been replaced by one
of cork tl1;a+ none but intimate friends
would notice the gent|enlan's artificial
limb at the present day. After endur-
ing the hardships Of O. pioneer ia new
and unsettled country, young O>Con-
nor's father gradually found himself in
position to send his apt son to school.
where the latter soon developed 81 de-
cided taste for leaning. Preparing
himself for the Bar, he was admitted to
practice i'm 1864. He acted respectively.
AS reeve of the township of Windsor,
ana warden Of Eosex County, also srrv
ing for IL years as chairman of the
Windsor Board of Education. Re-
turned to Parliament in 1857, and Gre
ated Queens Counsel in 1872, Through
his legal attaiDments, he was sWorn in
member of the Priyy Council iii the
same wear, aud made Minister of Inland
Revenue. In 1873, he again came to
Parliament as representative OF Rus ell
County, Ontario, and assumed the du-
ties of Postmaster G eneral. Retiring
from. this position some three years
since, he was raised to the Upper Can
ada Queens Bench, which he bow
graces with dignity. He was the au-
thor of Letters Addressed TO the Coy
ernor-General on the Subjecl Of Fe-
nianism l187O,)" and showed 1nuch tall
ent in dealing with that then much
vexed question. The Hon. John O'Cnn-
nor is a hale, hearty old gentleman,
much liked. and happily blending III
his characteristics Yankee Wit with
Irish humor aud Canadian simplicity.
Ex SPEAKER ANGLIN.
Hon. Timothy Warren ADg)in, Ey-
Speaker of tbs Canadian House of
Commons although not exactly from
"Cork's own town." was born within
so miles of the famous Cove, in the
town of Clonakilty. and came to St.
John, New Brunswick, in The memor-
able year of '4S, when young man.
A year afterwards he established the